Ukrainian forces captured approximately 60 Russian soldiers in the Kharkiv Oblast on Sunday, amid reports that Kyiv has regained some ground in the embattled region. This significant development was announced by Nazar Voloshin, a spokesman for Ukraine’s Khortytsia operational-strategic group, in an interview with local publication Liga.net.
The capture took place near the war-torn town of Vovchansk, where intense battles continue. Ukrainian forces reportedly control around 70 percent of Vovchansk, a town that had a prewar population of 17,000. The region has seen fierce clashes since May 10, when Russian forces launched an offensive, seizing several villages and causing thousands of civilians to flee.
Footage shared on social media by open data analyst Julian Röpcke shows the moment the Russian troops were captured, suggesting that Russian forces are losing ground in northeastern Vovchansk. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a U.S.-based think tank, corroborated this by noting that Ukrainian forces have recently regained positions within the town. Geolocated footage published on June 2 showed Ukrainian forces reclaiming a position along Dukhovna Street, and additional footage from June 3 depicted close combat between Ukrainian and Russian troops in the area.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Russian losses during their Kharkiv offensive are significantly higher than Ukraine’s, estimating the ratio at eight to one. However, these claims have not been independently verified, and Russia’s Defense Ministry has yet to comment.
The conflict in Kharkiv Oblast is part of a broader struggle between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides using advanced weaponry and tactics. Ukrainian forces have also reportedly struck a Russian S-300/400 air defense battery in Belgorod Oblast, likely using U.S.-provided HIMARS, although Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the specifics of the strike. This attack highlights the ongoing strategic battle for control of key military assets and positions.
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